“At loggerheads” means two sides cannot agree. It is a metaphorical phrase that refers to an iron tool used to heat liquids or manipulate materials. It can also refer to a fixed part of a boat or someone of low intelligence. The phrase expresses a visceral disagreement and may be used with a singular or plural subject. It is an example of an idiom that relies on an antiquated meaning and has been replaced by more modern phrases.
The phrase “at loggerheads” basically means that two people or two sides cannot agree on something. The most common form of this sentence is stated as follows: “(they) are at loggerheads.” This idiom in English is metaphorical, in which a relationship is expressed through an analogy to physical elements.
In physical terms, a loggerhead is an iron tool that is often used to heat liquids or manipulate various materials. Other definition of loggerhead is a nautical term for a fixed part of a boat which can be used for tying lines. A more metaphorical use for loggerhead is a derogatory title for someone of low intelligence, similar to the term “loghead”.
In its use as an idiom, the phrase “at loggerheads” generally expresses a visceral disagreement between two or more individuals or groups. A possible synonym for some uses of this phrase is “deadlock,” a chess term, in which those “at loggerheads” may not be able to make headway in negotiating some issue. Parties that are “at loggerheads” may be embroiled in a long-term or short-term conflict that precludes any settlement or negotiation.
While this sentence is usually expressed in a plural, such as the pronoun “they” in the example above, some writers may use it in conjunction with a singular subject. For example, a headline announcing ‘EU at loggerheads’ expresses a multi-party debate, using the singular group headline as the subject. Here, it’s various EU or European Union elements that disagree, but shortening the title to the forms above helps streamline the title without compromising its meaning, although some might suggest this is a slightly misuse, if not unusual, of the idiom; in theory, however, one could also say that “he is at loggerheads with himself”, in which an overtly singular subject is used to express an internal conflict.
The phrase “at loggerheads” is an example of an idiom that relies on a more antiquated original meaning. The loggerhead has ceased to be a commonly recognized tool for most of many English-speaking populations, outside of certain trade groups or types of workers. The idiomatic usage has outlived popular literal usage in terms of common usage, but looking at the contemporary evolution of the English language, even the idiom itself often seems obsolete, replaced by more modern phrases, such as “gridlocked”. Writers or speakers might also say that “negotiations have stalled” or simply use a more literal phrase to replace the idiom, such as “couldn’t reach agreement.”
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